Return of the Mount Hua Sect [EN]: Chapter 975

Confusion and worry twisted Namgung Myeong’s face as he watched the scene unfold. His eyebrows furrowed deeply.

“What is happening?” he thought, his mind racing. “Who is fighting who?”

He stared at the back of the man standing in front of everyone. His eyes widened, and his pupils shook as he tried to understand.

Of course, this man was different from the other young disciples. He had to admit that much.

Not only Namgung Myeong, but no one in the *martial world* (Kangho) would consider the Mount Hua Sword Saint an ordinary young disciple. Anyone who thought that way was either a fool or jealous of his great reputation.

Namgung Dowi was the best of the young disciples. He was talented enough to lead the Namgung Family one day. But even he seemed weak compared to the Mount Hua Sword Saint.

The Mount Hua Sword Saint was simply on a different level, like comparing a small stream to a huge river.

But…

Namgung Myeong looked past the man’s back toward the Black Dragon King.

‘Doesn’t that depend on who he’s fighting?’

Everything is relative. Just as Namgung Dowi’s skill was nothing compared to the Mount Hua Sword Saint, the Mount Hua Sword Saint’s reputation was less important than the Black Dragon King’s name.

That was only natural.

The title of Mount Hua Sword Saint was respected because of his fairness and the potential of his swordsmanship. People praised the path he was taking.

But the Black Dragon King was different.

He wasn’t respected. Instead, he had earned a fearsome reputation through his brutal strength. His name was whispered in fear across the lands.

Namgung Myeong glared at the Black Dragon King, his eyes bloodshot.

Even Namgung Hwang, the Sword Emperor and former head of the Namgung Family, hadn’t won against the Black Dragon King. In fact, he had died at the Black Dragon King’s hands.

Namgung Myeong hated the Black Dragon King, but he knew the Black Dragon King was one of the most powerful people in the world.

But… the Mount Hua Sword Saint was going to fight him?

‘This is madness.’

No matter how he looked at it, he imagined the Mount Hua Sword Saint being destroyed by the Black Dragon King.

‘Why isn’t anyone stopping him! Why!’

Even though the Mount Hua Sword Saint, a young disciple, had stepped up to fight the Black Dragon King alone, none of the Mount Hua disciples tried to stop him.

They simply lowered their swords and guarded his back in silence.

“Ugh…”

Namgung Myeong thought about it clearly. Mount Hua was strong and righteous, but they didn’t understand how powerful the Black Dragon King was.

Great masters were rare. Since Mount Hua had lost its older generation, it made sense they didn’t understand the Black Dragon King’s power.

But if that was true…

Namgung Myeong looked at Tang Gunak.

‘Why isn’t the family head doing anything?’

If anyone should fight the Black Dragon King, it was Tang Gunak. The Poison King’s reputation was a little lower than the Black Dragon King’s, but he was still the head of the Dang Family. He was at least on the same level.

But even though Tang Gunak must have felt Namgung Myeong watching him, he just stared blankly at Chung Myung and the Black Dragon King.

Namgung Myeong grew more confused.

They were really going to let the Mount Hua Sword Saint fight the Black Dragon King.

‘No.’

That couldn’t happen. The Mount Hua Sword Saint would become a symbol of the *martial world* (Kangho). They couldn’t let him die by the sword of such a monster.

Namgung Myeong couldn’t stand by and watch someone die after risking his life for them.

“Even if it’s just me…”

Namgung Myeong gritted his teeth and tried to step forward. He couldn’t beat the Black Dragon King, but he might be able to help turn the battle, even a little.

But then…

Thump.

Someone grabbed his shoulder.

“…So, young master?”

Namgung Myeong turned to see Namgung Dowi, who had recovered. Namgung Dowi’s face was pale.

“It cannot be done.”

“…What?”

“Just watch.”

He coughed, covering his mouth, and wiped blood from his lips. His sharp eyes were fixed on Chung Myung’s back.

Namgung Myeong stared, confused.

He saw the firm trust in Namgung Dowi’s eyes. He looked around and saw the same look in everyone else’s eyes.

‘They’re not just standing by…’

Everyone looked like Namgung Dowi, full of trust. They were all watching Chung Myung’s back.

Not just the Mount Hua disciples, but also the Dang Family, and even Tang Gunak.

“What on earth…”

What did they see in the Mount Hua Sword Saint?

What made them trust him so much, even against the Black Dragon King?

“…Are you saying he will defeat the Black Dragon King?”

“Yes.”

Namgung Myeong’s lips trembled at the unbelievable answer.

“Have you seen his skill?”

“…Not exactly.”

“But how…?”

Namgung Dowi smiled faintly.

“They are watching him, aren’t they?”

He meant the Five Swords and the Mount Hua disciples.

Even though they had only traveled together for a short time, he could feel how much they cared for each other. They would give their lives for each other.

And they were watching Chung Myung without any doubt.

How could he doubt in this situation?

‘Could I become like that too?’

Namgung Dowi looked back at Chung Myung’s back.

Could he one day lead people with just his presence, not his sword, like Chung Myung?

He slowly clenched his fist, staring at Chung Myung’s back as if trying to memorize it.

The wind from the Yangtze River blew between Chung Myung and the Black Dragon King. The scent of plum blossoms mixed with the metallic tang of blood.

The scene had changed. The people behind the Black Dragon King were keeping their distance, slowly backing away without being told.

But the people behind Chung Myung hadn’t moved. They glared at the Black Dragon King, ready to fight with him.

The Black Dragon King gripped his blade tightly.

‘I don’t like this.’

He hated that a young kid was stepping up to fight him. It hurt his pride.

He also didn’t like the look in the eyes of those behind Chung Myung.

Did they really think this brat could beat him?

‘No matter.’

His feelings didn’t matter. The Black Dragon King knew how important the battle was. The young swordsmen of Mount Hua were strong, and the Dang Family was always trouble.

If they gained momentum, even if he won, the *Surochae* would suffer greatly. To reduce the damage, he had to break their spirit.

He had to show them how strong he was and destroy their will to fight. And to do that…

‘Just killing him won’t be enough.’

A fierce energy filled the Black Dragon King’s eyes.

He would tear this kid apart and show everyone who he was. Not just these people, but also Jang Il-so, who was watching from that ship!

“You will regret standing before me in hell…”

Then, Chung Myung disappeared from sight.

‘What?’

The Black Dragon King quickly used his power and raised his blade to protect his neck. It was an instinctive move from countless battles.

And it saved him.

Kaaaang!

The Black Dragon King barely blocked Chung Myung’s sword, which had appeared like a ghost.

Crack! Crack crack crack! Crack!

The thin sword pushed against the thick glaive, making a chilling sound.

“This…”

The Black Dragon King’s eyes trembled.

If he had reacted a moment later, the sword would have pierced his neck. But what scared the Black Dragon King was not the danger to his life.

‘What is this guy?’

Chung Myung’s face was cold as he pushed forward, as if he would cut through the glaive and the Black Dragon King’s neck in one move.

The Black Dragon King felt a chill, as if Chung Myung was studying him.

Crack crack crack crack!

The sword, filled with power, pressed down on the blade. The Black Dragon King, feeling pain in his wrist, roared like a beast.

“Heuaaah!”

He quickly used his power to push the blade forward with all his strength.

But then, the Black Dragon King saw it.

Just before he pushed out the blade, Chung Myung’s sword moved to the side, as if he knew what would happen.

Time seemed to slow down. He saw everything clearly.

The blade, pushed out with all his might, went through the empty air where the sword had been.

Chung Myung, who had easily avoided his power, moved to the Black Dragon King’s side.

The Black Dragon King saw those empty eyes and threw himself to the side.

Bang!

He moved with terrifying speed, despite his size.

He moved ten steps away in a flash, and sweat dripped down his face.

“…”

He looked at his left hand, which was covered in white sand.

It was the hand that had touched the ground when he jumped away. The sweat on his hand showed his humiliation.

The Black Dragon King stared at his hand, then looked at his side. His black uniform and armor were split open.

And…

Trickle.

The gap in his side was wide enough to fit a finger.

The Black Dragon King looked up and saw Chung Myung lowering his sword.

Before he could understand the strangeness and fear he felt, Chung Myung turned to him.

“Bad luck.”

His voice cut through the silence. But even more chilling was the look in Chung Myung’s eyes.

“You could have died without pain.”

A drop of sweat fell from the Black Dragon King’s face onto the blood on the ground.

Drip.

The sound echoed through the silent plum blossom garden.